Former India T20I captain Rohit Sharma has credited former India head coach Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar and Board of Control for Cricket in India honourary secretary Jay Shah as the three pillars behind India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win. However, Sharma applauded the trio for backing the team where players were able to perform freely without worrying. Notably, India beat South Africa in a nail-biting final at Barbados on June 29 by just 7 runs and won the trophy. This also marked an 11-year-end to the ICC trophy draught as well.

“It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much,” Rohit Sharma said in an award ceremony on Wednesday. “That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are actually Mr Jay Shah, Mr Rahul Dravid (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.”

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However, Rohit Sharma also shared the feeling of winning the T20 World Cup. He also shared that it was a feeling that you do not get every day as well. Notably, following the win, Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from the T20 format along with Ravindra Jadeja. They continue to be a part of the ODI and Test set-up now.

“(It was) a feeling that cannot come everyday. It was something that we were really hoping for. When we won the World Cup, it was important for all of us to enjoy the moment which we did pretty well and thanks to our nation as well for celebrating with us. As much as it meant for us, it meant a whole lot to the entire nation as well. It felt really great to bring it (trophy) back home here and celebrate with everyone here.(It is a) fantastic feeling that can never be put out in words. I don’t think it’s a feeling that can be expressed. It won’t do justice to our effect when all that happened,” Rohit Sharma concluded.